Maybe Chief Justice Roberts put his foot down?

[pwb]

This may not be the court he wants. Not this way?

[grantcart]

1. Not as crazy as it sounds

Roberts does not want a more politicized court

[calimary]

4. Hmmmm... most interesting.

[NewJeffCT]

5. as bad as he is politically 99% of the time

He also did lament the process that Merrick Garland had to endure - or lack of process.

[grantcart]

8. While political at key

[Blue_true]

17. I agree. Hate him if you want to, but he really seem to care about his legacy.

That is why I believe he will block repeal of Roe v Wade.

[RockRaven]

2. By what mechanism can Roberts do anything? Where is his leverage?

He doesn't have a role in the process, and no way to affect the outcome, as far as I know.

[pwb]

6. pretty sure people listen to him

maybe not but maybe so.

[Blue_true]

18. He can gum up Kavanaugh on the Court, render him a non issue. nt

[exboyfil]

3. What would he do

Threaten to vote with the four liberal justices? Other than that I can't see what he could do.

And if he made that threat, I bet the GOP would move to impeach him.

[calimary]

7. Nah. You're giving the CONS too much credit for morality, ethics, and genuinely fair play

and "fair process" - and they have nothing on any of those counts.

[pwb]

11. He can say he doesn't want a person like kavanaugh on his court

[Codeine]

16. He has no say, though.

Not his decision to make.

[pwb]

19. The court has his name on it.

He may want more investigation before he is stuck with a drunk on his court? Its just a thought.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. How many votes in the Senate does he have?

I don't think he has much power over the other justices as Chief Justice.

[11cents]

10. I've been thinking about that as well. I don't think he wants Kavanaugh on the court.

Probably grossly unconstitutional for an SC justice to interfere in a selection in any way. But hey, they get to decide what's constitutional.

[LisaM]

12. Judge Citizens United?

They guy who bent the law to adopt two kids from Ireland? The guy who thought dismantling the Voting Rights Act would not matter? They guy who worked for the law firm that represented Bill O'Reilly and Fox News?

Yeah, sure he did.

[DeminPennswoods]

13. Surprised this hasn't been mentioned before now

Roberts is conservative, but he's also an institutionalist. I'm sure he sees the damage Kavanaugh is already doing to the judiciary and is likely horrified at the thought of Kavanaugh as a colleague and the cost to the Supreme Court as a trusted institution. Not to mention Roberts laid down the law regarding sexual harassment in all federal courts after the Kozinski mess, iirc.

[countingbluecars]

14. Perhaps the women on the court

are expressing their dismay over Kavanaugh. It would be great if they refused to sit on the court with him.

[Upthevibe]

15. For some reason (maybe wishful thinking)

I've had a little hope for him. This will be remembered as The Roberts Court. Maybe....

[pwb]

20. its just a thought.

fingers crossed, maybe something is there?